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By Robert Balajadia
The streaking JFK Islanders pulled off another clutch victory over the FD Friars Tuesday night, 63-56, at the FD Phoenix Center to extend their winning streak to seven games, the highest win streak by any team this season.
The Islanders were hanging on to a 53-50 lead with under a minute left when JFK’s Kurtis Silva stripped Friars’ Bruce Merrill on his way to the basket and dished the ball off to a streaking Billy Belger who fought through contact from Friars’ Javier Dimla while drawing the foul and making the shot. Belger hit the free throw to extend the lead 56-50 which ultimately put the Frairs away.
Silva was motivated on defense after Merrill hit three three-pointers in the first quarter followed by a brief exchange of words regarding Silva’s defense.
“Yeah, it did motivate me a little, but whatever happens on the court stays on the court. I’m always trying to play my best defense,” said the humble Silva.
Silva then blocked Merrill’s layup attempt that led to another fast break layup for the Islanders to go up 60-50 in the closing seconds. Silva finished with a game high 20 points while Belger finished with 14. Merrill led the Friars with 16 points.
JFK got off to a hot start early by going up 14-4 after a pair of three pointers from Silva. The Islanders were crashing the offensive boards also scoring eight second chance points in the first quarter. The Friars fought back and cut the lead 22-16 after streaky shooting from Merrill.
FD took the lead in the second quarter, 25-23 off free throws from Tyler Okiyama. Silva then forced Merrill into back-to-back turnovers that led to a Silva three-pointer to give the Islanders back the lead 30-29, a lead they would hold on to throughout the game.

Islanders’ Aljurrell Grape trying to take advantage of an open lane for a layup. (photo by Jesse Castro)
Both teams traded baskets early in the third quarter until the Islanders closed out the third on a 10-2 run to go up 51-41 sparked by Aljurrell Grape off the bench. Grape hit teammate Wayne Jesus under the basket with a no-look pass and then sliced through the Friar defense on a fast break layup a play later.
Nic Aglubat ignited the Friar offense midway through the fourth quarter by scoring four-straight points to trim the once double digit lead to just two possessions, 53-49, with two-minutes left in the game.
Silva then delivered the clutch defensive performance on Merrill while hitting crucial free throws down the stretch to secure the Islander win.
With another clutch victory down the stretch, Silva explained how his team is getting done.
“We’re just working as a team and we’re trusting each other. Everybody can all handle the ball and shoot free throws. We owe it all to God and to coach (Rey Serafico) for helping through these wins,” said Silva.
The Islanders improve to 8-1 while the Friars drop to 5-3, snapping a three-game winning streak.
Other Scores
Okkodo 73, Guam High 67 – (OKH) Ben Borja 16 pts. 8 blks. 13 reb., (OKH) Verne Gustilo 13 pts. 7 ast.
Southern 51, Sanchez 47 – (SHS) Dom Afaisen 17 pts., (SSHS) John Buan 12 pts.
GW 73, St. John’s 50
St. Paul 66, ND 36


GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK

Baseball
GUAM HOSTS KIWIS IN U15 BASEBALL

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
SHARKS FEND OFF DOLPHINS IN GIRLS HOOPS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs